The Josiah Foundation - Helping those in need

KENYA, AFRICA – March 2009

Dave’s Journal

Read Dave's daily account of events for short term mission trip to Kenya in March and April of 2009. Mission team was comprised of his two daughters, Stephanie Wheelock and Michelle Penner, and good griend Harmony Bischoff. Mission entailed ministering to school children in the slums, providing a microloan to a struggling family, and investigating numerous opportunities to support the poor through schooling, microloans, and medical help. We met many wonderful people and are now in the process of coming along side to support some of our newfound friends who are effectively ministering to the poor in Jesus name.

Thursday, March 26^th & Friday, March 27^th

Travel:

Up at 5 a.m. to pack.  Schedule has been too full with work to complete packing last night.  Chi took me to airport at 7:45 a.m. so she could be at her Studio by 9:00 a.m.  It was so nice to enjoy a relaxing morning with the newspaper and a cup of coffee.  My flight didn’t leave until 12:15 p.m. so I had plenty of time to relax.  Relaxation was somewhat short lived as Michelle called from Denver with news that it was snowing hard in Denver – 1 to 2 feet of snow expected and lots of flights are being cancelled.  She was wondering what we will do in the event her flight (and Harmony’s) is cancelled.  I indicated that we would weigh our options should that occur, and in the meantime we would pray.  At some point Mom called, and we prayed over the phone about the flight situation.  Long story short – Harmony and Michelle were reported (by one of their friends who called) to be on one of the last flights out before Denver closed their airport.  The airport was expected to be closed until Saturday.   † PRAISE THE LORD!  They just made it out on time!  Not sure what we would have done if they were stuck in Denver until Saturday.  Their flight to Minneapolis was about ½ hour delayed due to the snow and de-icing delays.  Stephanie arrived in Minneapolis very shortly after I did – around 1:30 p.m.  We met up and went to Chili’s – Michelle & Harmony joined us sometime after 2:30 p.m. 

Flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam – departure at 4:15 p.m.  Seven (7) plus hours later arrived in Amsterdam at approximately 6:00 a.m. local time (midnight back home).  We walked around awhile and enjoyed some fruit smoothies/juices/coffee.  Then aboard the 10:20 a.m. flight to Nairobi.

Arrival!

Arrived perhaps 10 minutes ahead of schedule in Nairobi.  Took approximately an hour to gather all luggage and exit through customs and to locate David Njau of Elido Tours and his driver Edward.  Arrived at guesthouse sometime around 10:00 or 10:30 p.m.  Saw an extremely sobering sight on the way – a man was lying apparently dead in the highway.  I felt sick to my stomach as we passed slowly within a few feet from what at first glance in the dark had appeared to be some rags.  There were a couple of men there to divert traffic from hitting the body again.  The incident was very sobering to the girls as well. 

The guesthouse has walls and a security guard.  Very modest rooms – bunk beds for the 3 girls in Room 5B, and two small single beds for me in adjacent Room 5C.  Approximately $20/night per person including breakfast.

Saturday, March 28th

George & Linet:

A big day!  The day has arrived when I finally get to meet George & Linet and their boys Derrick & Jeremy.  Deb Smith (longtime family friend and resident of Kenya for about 7 years) arrived at the guesthouse around 7:30 a.m. and we ate breakfast together in the common dining area.  Cereal, fruit, toast and fried eggs.

We took a combination of 3 buses to get to George & Linet’s neighborhood. They walked a 5 minute walk from their apartment flat to meet us.  They greeted us warmly with hugs and we walked together back to their flat.  We had bought some groceries for them at the grocery mart near our guesthouse.  George carried the heaviest bag and I felt kind of bad because he would have to switch arms every 30 seconds – but I didn’t feel too bad since the bag contained flour, sugar, and rice for George and his family.  There were many children – a few calling out to us.  Arriving at their home was sobering.  George & Linet live on the 4^th (top) floor.  We entered a dark hallway stepping as best we could on dry spots at the very wet ground in front of the entry way.  There was a water tap there for all the residents to use in filling their water containers.  George & Linet must carry all their water up to their 10 ft. x 10 ft. room on the 4^th floor.

Even though I had been told that they live in a 100 square ft. room, when we actually stepped into their home, I was struck by two things – one, I was amazed at how small their tight living quarters were.  A bunk bed on the opposite wall, a couch on the left and a chair on the right with a coffee table in the center.   There was just enough room to squeeze one’s legs between the table and the chairs.  The bunk bed also served as a chair.   There was a curtain behind the couch – George & Linet’s bed was located behind it.  In addition, the curtained bedroom served as a store room.  On several occasions George or Linet would step up on the end of the couch and access something stored neatly back in their bedroom.  The neatness and cleanliness of their home was the other thing that impressed me.  It was amazing that a family of 4 could so neatly and efficiently be packed into a 10 ft. x 10 ft. room.   As the afternoon unfolded, I was struck by a 3^rd impression – the cheerfulness with which George & Linet viewed their situation.  Linet was always quick with a smile or a laugh.  George, while a very serious individual, was full of Praise to the Lord. It is so easy to love and admire them.

While we were there the girls went outside to have some fun with the neighborhood children. They handed out candy, flew kites, and did some face painting.

Stephanie, Harmony, Jeremy, Dave, Michelle, George, Linet, Derrick, Deb.	Stephanie, Linet and Michelle on top of the flat.

 

Stephanie and children	Linet and Michelle handing out candy.	Two young girls enjoying their face paints.

  

Sunday, March 29th

Church with Pastor Jeremiah:

Clement, a driver for Elida Tours picked us up around 8:00 a.m. and took us along with Deb to the church of her good friends – Pastor Jeremiah and Carol.  Church was located in a slum called Kwanjanga.  The girls worked with Jackie, a tall elegant young lady, who was probably around 6’2”.  I don’t recall what tribe she is from, but Deb said that particular tribe is noted for the tallness of its members.  While the girls were teaching the children, probably 20-30 in number, I chatted for awhile with Pastor Jeremiah. Jeremiah told me about his calling and his passion and vision to serve the Lord among the poor. I took the opportunity to give him a number of neckties that I had brought along – Deb had suggested that Jeremiah and some of his church leaders would be thrilled to have them.   

Jackie, Stephanie, Harmony and Michelle teaching the children.  Church can be seen in background with the cloth signa and red lettering.	Children listening attentively.

 Jeremiah told me about a lady who had come to him just yesterday with many problems.  She brought in a bag of rags and other components that a witch doctor had given her.   She ended up rejecting the demons that possessed her and Jeremiah prayed for her – and she was delivered from the demons.  He burned the stuff from the witch doctor.

 The end of the service proved to be as memorable as any service I have ever attended.  A woman and her small child went up for prayer.  I wasn’t paying particular attention to her until I suddenly looked up to see a demon possessed woman hurtle herself backward while flailing wildly about. Several individuals were attempting to hold and restrain her.   She came plowing through people and chairs directly at me.  I quickly became one of the people trying to catch her.  She went down but we managed to get our hands under her.  A number of the elders got her up and were rebuking and casting out the demons.  She would wobble crazily for a few moments and then with a shriek go wild again.  Finally, she was taken outside where the deliverance was continued.  At times she would appear to be attempting to throw up.  Nothing seemed to come out

We ended up being served soft drinks and cake afterwards.  This gave Jeremiah a good opportunity to explain to us what we had just witnessed for the first time in our lives.  It turns out that a lot of the people in Kenya go to witchdoctors to seek help for various issues.  Some will go to numerous witch doctors, as was the case for this lady.   Some will make very strong covenants involving blood and cutting.  Jeremiah has ministered to many with demonic possession and his perspective was very helpful. In the end, the woman was delivered of the demon(s).

The Upper-Room Pentecostal church. Pastor Jeremiah is in the center (just to the right of the “mazungo”),       wearing white shirt and tie, and his wife Carol in the red dress and holding baby just to his left.

 

 

After our visit together over the treats at the church, we took Pastor Jeremiah and his family and Jackie, her son, and another young man (Jackie’s uncle I believe) to lunch at a restaurant.  About a 15 minute walk.  As we walked we noticed signs advertising the services of witchdoctors.  The demonic world is very much a part of many people’s lives here in Kenya. 

At lunch, Carol asked me about myself and I had an opportunity to share about the Josiah Foundation and our goals and methods.  Carol and Jeremiah shared about how their church is providing training for their people to start small businesses.  I asked Jeremiah how much startup cash would be required for a typical business startup.  He indicated somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 shillings (about $130).   I have a very strong sense that our meeting with Jeremiah’s church today has God’s hand of guidance all over it.  First, the firsthand demonstration of the realities of the Biblically described demonic world and of the Lord’s authority over it.  Then my clear sense that my life and the ministry of The Josiah Foundation are about to intertwine with the ministry of Pastor Jeremiah!  Working with his church to provide micro-loans would appear to be a perfect fit.  But there’s more!! My first motivation for coming to Africa was to search for God’s stories.  It became evident that Jeremiah has plenty of stories to tell.  At lunch he told me of a time when God spoke to him audibly and with visible light.  If I understood the soft spoken Jeremiah correctly, God told him that he (Jeremiah) would exchange his life for the lives of the people he served. 

Jeremiah has seen God miraculously heal and deliver many from demonic possession – in fact, we heard a couple of testimonies from women in church who had been delivered.  Jeremiah very much wants to meet with me again before I leave – and even though our schedule is quite full – I believe we can find a way to make that happen!!  We’ve prayed many times for the Lord to guide our every contact and every day’s ministry.  He has certainly done that!

Monday, March 30

Lanoi:

At breakfast we met a woman named Lanoi Parmuot, a project leader with Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya for their Anti-FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Project.  Lanoi travels extensively to rural areas and works through churches and schools to try and work against the terrible practice of female genital mutilation.  There are actually some tribes where over 90% of girls face this.  Lanoi was very engaging and seemed eager to somehow include us in her endeavors.  I don’t see a direct correlation just yet between our ministries, but I don’t want to discount any connections the Lord provides.  I’ve seen Him connect us to a number of awesome ministry opportunities (Bethel, Love the Child, Pastor Jeremiah, Life Challenge Africa, and Isaac Kiva) so I’m always open for more.  Lanoi gave me her business card, so we’ll see just how and when the Lord chooses to use this “chance” encounter!  I also gave Lanoi our contact information.

Ark School in Kariobangi:

When we pulled up to the school, it was obvious that the children had been expecting us.  They crowded to the window and reached out to touch us through the bars – they were wild with excitement and were calling loudly to us.  We are just ordinary people, but they were treating us like rock stars. It’s a sad commentary on their situation for them to consider someone as ordinary as us to be so special.

We visited each classroom and the children sang a special song and a greeting for us.  We were introduced to the staff and enjoyed their traditional chai, a tea mixed with hot milk together.

	The children at ARK were happy to welcome us.

We visited the nearby New Hope Sewing and Embroidery Project. Ladies meet in a sewing room adjacent to the school.  The small room was very cramped for space with the ladies and their sewing machines.  It has no electricity, but the ladies appear to be cheerfully thankful for their opportunity to learn to sew. The girls gave the Ark School staff a tub full of stuff – everything from water color paints to color books, Bible story books, puzzles, crafts, colors and more.  The staff was thrilled.  I have to say I’m real proud of the girls for the way they purchased and packed such useful and appreciated items.

Ladies at the New Hope Sewing Project in Kariobangi.

Tuesday, March 31

The Slums of Kibera

We met at the SIM headquarters for a tour and some chai with the staff.  It was good to sit around the table in the warm tropical Nairobi air and get to know the SIM staff.  I was especially impressed with SIM’s resources and expertise in their outreach to Muslims.  They have a very nice library with lots of resources on the topic of the Islamic faith and how to win Muslims to Christ.  One of their staffers was said to be a very effective debater.

Around 11:00 we left for Kibera, either the largest or second largest slum in all of Africa, depending on who you ask.  Pauline, SIM administration assistant, accompanied Christel, the girls and I.  We parked the car at the entrance to the slum and walked in with the beans we had bought for the New Hope ladies at the sewing room (a similar sewing project to the one we visited yesterday).  We split into 2 groups and separated by probably a minute.  Christel told us that large groups of mzungos (whites) actually seem to attract holdups – seems counter intuitive to me but she would know better than me.

The slums lived up to everything I’ve ever heard about them.  It’s sort of like living in a garbage dump only much worse.  There is garbage everywhere.  People are everywhere living in shacks butted up against one another.  Sewer water runs freely along the walkways.  It had rained and there were plenty of places where one walked on an oozing muddy garbage laced pathway.  I wasn’t always sure whether the ooze was from the rain or other sources best not imagined too vividly.

Looking out over the tin roofed shacks of Kibera.

Ladies at New Hope Sewing Center in Kibera.

 New Hope Ladies Sewing Center

We had a great time with the ladies at the sewing center.  The sewing center has been going for 14 years and has had great results. A number of women have come to Christ and have learned how to sew, embroider and to help meet their families’ needs.  When we first entered the door into the sewing center, we stepped over a dead mouse lying in the dirt floor at the entrance.  We expected this to prove terrifying to Harmony, who is nearly unflappable unless a mouse happens to be nearby.  To our disappointment, she did not see the mouse.  This is the same entry where I later saw one of the mother’s little boys stand as he unapologetically pulled down his worn red sweat pants and added to the water mess at the doorway.

Wednesday, April 1

Teaching at the Ark School:

Christel picked us up again for the trip back out to the Ark School at Kariobangi.  I’ve been assigned two teaching opportunities – teaching the class 2 & 3 Social Studies on Weather and class 4 & 5 on Animals – most specifically on vertebrates and invertebrates.  I thought the class on Weather went especially well – the children were eager to participate. 

The girls did a great job working with crafts with the children.  At the end of the day we were all quite tired and ready to head to somewhere quiet – especially somewhere where we could find a clean restroom.  The “choos” at the school are basically holes in the floor and the conditions are quite filthy, although we found that this is quite normal for public facilities in the slums.  It was tough on the gals –in an attempt to stay out of the choos they didn’t drink as much water as they normally should.

School staff. Administrator Benard in front row, left end with his wife Vice Principal Bentina in blue behind him.	Happy school children with their new crafts.

Walk around Kiriobangi:

Over the lunch hour, Benard took me for a walk around the nearby neighborhood.  We soon were walking through some dirty passageways along a menagerie of shops, homes, and even a goat slaughterhouse.   We walked within a few feet of hanging carcasses – and a worker who was busy cutting on one of them. 

Some of the paths were really filthy.  I saw one woman who was probably around 20 playing with a stick in the direct sewage that ran in front of their home.  As she pressed and jerked with the stick in the goo – it suddenly broke loose and flung a glob of sewage directly onto a little girl of about 5 who was standing in the doorway to their shack.  The little girl, of course, immediately burst into loud crying – poor thing was standing there with this glop of sewage on her shoulder and the front of her blouse.  Benard admonished the woman who had been so careless, and who didn’t seem appropriately caring about the fact that the stuff was raw sewage.

Later Benard took me across the street to visit a father of  three of the school children.  He was a graduate of the Ark School’s 4-6 pm adult classes.  He and his wife have their own shop selling items such as flour and rice.  He was very friendly and allowed me to take a couple of photos of him, his wife and their shop.  Even though Muslim, this father is a friend of the school.  Benard has worked hard to establish good friendly relationships with the school's neighbors, an interesting fact given that most of the neighbors are Muslim and the school makes no secret of its Christian basis.  In fact, while we were sitting together and visiting on a bench in front of the family’s shop, a fairly young man (perhaps 30) came up and introduced himself as a prophet for Islam and welcomed us to Islam.  He claimed to know 16 languages, and the Bible and the Koran.  He was quite forward and struck me as arrogant. He told Benard that he could teach him the Bible.  Benard set up a time to talk further with him – Benard seems to be very good at dialoging with the residents of Kariobongi. 

Benard has done a lot of prayer walking and fasting for this neighborhood.  Benard is very interested in ministering to the neighborhood and would like to consider The Josiah Foundation’s partnering in micro-loans.  Benard and Newton have set up an organization registered with the government to carry out such enterprises as loans to help with starting small neighborhood businesses.

Benard (center) with teacher Newton (right) and his neighbor/friend (on left as described above) in front of his friend’s home/store. Located across the street from the school.	Christel, Bentina, Michelle, Harmony and Stephanie in front of the ARK School entrance.

Violence in City Center:

Christel enlisted the help of Wycliffe, one of the teachers, to ride back with us and to direct us to use a different route so as to avoid passing by the University.  There were news reports of students throwing rocks at cars.  Later I learned that the issue was related to students not being allowed to take final exams if their school payments were not complete.  One student had been killed by live bullets (rather than rubber bullets) that are apparently the norm for student demonstrations.

Pastor Jeremiah and Carol:

Pastor Jeremiah and his wife Carol met me at around 6:00p at the guesthouse.  I think they had to use 3 matutus to arrive from their home.

 I really have felt a special bond with Pastor Jeremiah and Carol.  Jeremiah strikes me as a man who is filled with Godliness, humility, Godly power and zeal.  He and Carol are utilizing a college facility to provide free business training to their congregants in the slum of Kwanjarga.  Their training includes principles of integrity as well as business.  They are very interested in partnering with The Josiah Foundation for the provision of micro-loans. 

We enjoyed dinner together at the guesthouse.  Just as they were ready to depart, Stephanie remembered the duffle bag full of shoes she had brought and asked if they could use them.   They were delighted to take 3 bags of shoes with them – many would be handed out to needy church members.  Carol had actually planned on buying shoes that same day for their little girl Joy, but hadn’t. Now she had several pairs for her!		† God’s timing was perfect!  In addition, I provided Foundation funds of 20,000 Kenyan shillings to help with church rent needs and the family of Associate Pastor Peter who had just lost his job and is behind on rent.  Jeremiah and his wife were rejoicing and so very thankful.  We were all so happy to have been a blessing to our new friends.
	My new friends Pastor Jeremiah and his wife Carol.

Thursday, April 25, 2009

School Outing to Sheldrick’s Elephant Park:

The big day for the slum kids at the Ark School has finally arrived.  I was told that some of the kids have been asking about the outing for quite some time – asking “Is today the day we go?”  The kids have never been on an outing like this before.  We had paid for one large bus and one small bus to pick up the children at the school. 

Christel picked up the girls and me and we went first to see some giraffes at a park not too far from Sheldrick’s.  We fed one giraffe that came up – then it was on to Sheldrick’s where the kids had already arrived. 

We were all plenty early – the elephants and their trainers wouldn’t come out for the exhibition until 11:00am – we arrived shortly after 10:30am.  The first group of elephants was babies, but even so, one of the baby elephants sent the kids scurrying for cover when it decided to go on the kid’s side of the rope.  After the elephant show/exhibit, we went to a park to eat and play games.  The girls had brought soccer balls, jump ropes, bubble soap, face paints, kites, and a plastic bat and balls.  There was something for everyone and the 115 (or so) kids had a blast. 

We finally departed the park around 3:40pm  - the kids headed back to the slums after making memories to last a life time.  There was some sad news though – around 10 kids had not made it to the pickup (school) point in time.  The teachers had been able to go to the homes and pick up a few of them, but one that didn’t make it pulled on my heartstrings.  One child’s mother reportedly goes to bed drunk every night and doesn’t get up until 9:00am – too late to get her child off to school in time.  Her child missed this once in a life time (thus far) outing that the kids had been eagerly anticipating for weeks.  I felt so bad – I wished no one had told me that piece of news.

Children waiting for the elephants.	This is the first time these children have ever seen elephants.

The kids enjoyed a great meal  at the park.	I'm enjoying this girl enjoying the special day.	Even the teachers got into the games.

Dinner with Walter & Christel:

Walter and Christel picked the girls and me up for dinner – We went to a very nice Italian restaurant.  We had a great outdoor table not far from a couple of huge fire rings.  The food was great and so was the fellowship.  We all feel a real sense of fondness for Walter and Christel.

Friday, April 3

Zabibu Centre:

Isaac picked us up around 7:45am.  He had a van that belongs to his Pastor’s cousin.  It was just the right size for handling all our luggage.

We first visited the Zabibu Centre – a home for girls who have either been rescued from FGM (female genital mutilation) or who are handicapped.  Patrick, the soft spoken deputy director, graciously showed us around.  The Centre had a school for basic classes through grade 8 as well as training for skills in sewing, knitting, and beauty salon.  We viewed the entire campus and saw plans for expansion of the sleeping dormitory for the older girls as well as dining room.  We left a modest donation of 5,000 shillings.  I have made a subsequent request to Pastor Timothy (Isaac’s Pastor) to provide me with more information about the Centre and his assessment of its support worthiness.

A teacher and his students in class at the Zabibu Centre.	Girls learning to knit.

 Emmanuel Hope Ministry:

We met the wife of Isaac’s Pastor, named Anne, at the Emmanuel Medical Center – a ministry of the Christian Church International (Isaac’s church).  Anne, along with a couple other Christian leaders (Simon, a church board member and a woman whose name I don’t recall) were there with a group of around 20 or so folks with HIV-Aids who belong to Anne’s support group.  She meets with them as a group twice a month for support / therapy discussions.  She also is trained to provide them with counseling services.  They weren’t scheduled to meet today, but had agreed to meet us and give us an opportunity to hear their stories.  Several of the group were brave enough to share their story – how they were coping with the HIV-Aids virus.  Anne also shared that in Kenya, even though many have contracted HIV, there is such a stigma attached to those who have it, that they are subsequently treated differently and looked down upon, even in the church.  For this reason, many with HIV do not tell anyone, not even their children (and many others refuse to even be tested).  One man shared how he had been fired from his job after it was learned that he had HIV.

Some of those in our meeting were still struggling about when and how to tell their children.  One mother told of how her husband had been unfaithful (not uncommon) and contracted the disease from another woman, and then passed it on to her.  HIV – Aids is pandemic in Kenya, and is fueled by sexual promiscuity as well as by those who have contracted HIV who refuse to be tested or to notify others of their condition – all the while continuing to have sexual contact.  The church and its associated Emmanuel Hope Ministry are teaching and encouraging people to abstain from sex outside of marriage relationships. 

One of the Aid ministries at Emmanuel’s Hope Ministry is the collection and sale of old newspapers – mostly for packing uses – as a means of generating some income.  I subsequently discussed the potential of providing micro-loans through the church’s board (which oversees the Medical Center) to enable people to generate some income. 

Several of the members of Anne’s HIV support group.	Lawrence, the Physician's Assistant at the clinic.

There is a U S government program that provides free drugs to keep the HIV from developing into Aids that is dispensed at the Medical Center each week.  People need to combine this with proper nutrition, however, and it is often difficult to afford the proper nutrition, especially with hungry children to feed and dim prospects of finding work.

The Medical Center has a rough equivalent to a Physician’s Assistant (Lawrence), a Lab Technician (Mary) to do blood work, and a nurse (Esther).  They do charge a nominal fee for medicines to cover expenses.  Folks with HIV tend to easily contract what are called “opportunistic” diseases, TB, Malaria, etc.  There is not a program to freely dispense medications for these illnesses; hence the funding for these comparatively inexpensive drugs is a challenge.

Pastor Timothy and the church’s vision is to finish off the Medical Center and to use the 2^nd floor as a hospital with beds and nurse’s station.  Funding will be required first for a septic system before the government will permit them to operate with overnight patients.  A church in the U. S. has provided funding for what has been built so far, but more funding is required to bring the facilities to completion.

One interesting note – the people here all know about President Obama because of his Kenyan roots.   So now because of him, they love the U.S.  (I gather that was not the case prior to his election).  When my daughter, Michelle, was introduced, it was common for someone to comment on the fact that she had the same name as Michelle Obama – even little children would comment.  Prior to his election, President Obama had visited Kenya.  In an effort to motivate Kenyans to get tested for HIV, he and his wife Michelle had publicly taken the HIV test.

Lunch & the Drive to Nakuru:

Isaac brought us to his home for lunch.  His wife, Josephine, is a very gracious hostess.  Their two daughters, Joy, whose 11^th birthday is tomorrow, and 4 ½ year old Irene, were very polite and sweet.  Lunch was delicious with a variety of Kenyan dishes and pineapple, bananas and watermelon for desert.  Their home is at the property of the Kenya coffee College where Josephine works with computers. 

 

Isaac and Josephine in their garden under a banana tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The campus is set in a lush area with many banana trees and surrounding coffee fields.  Much experimental research on coffee plants is conducted there at the college.

After lunch, we were taken to our guesthouse quarters so that we could consolidate our luggage for the long drive to Nakuru (170 km NW of Nairobi). Isaac actually lives near Ruiru - north of Nairobi.

Isaac's Pastor Timothy drove the van, the girls were in the middle seat and the Kiva family in the rear.  This is the Kiva's first trip to Nakuru National Park, so its shaping up to be a special birthday for Joy.  We pulled into the Hotel Kunzite around 8:00p. It was dark already and we were tired and wasted little time checking in and enjoying a good dinner together at the hotel's restaurant.

Saturday, April 4

Nakuru National Park:

We were packed up and ready to eat at 6:30am so that we could be out at the Nakuru National Park during the early morning hours and observe the animals as they come to the Nakuru Lake and other water holes.   We saw everything we could hope to see except lions.  We did see a very fresh red stained zebra carcass that appeared to be the work of lions.  We observed many zebras, many thousands of flamingos, multitudes of gazelles, a number of warthogs (even baby warthogs running in a line behind their mother), rhinoceros, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, hyenas, and water buffalos.

Cool, a giraffe!!	Isaac's wife Josephne, birthday girl Joy, and youngest daughter Irene.	We saw lots and lots of zebras, sometimes even along the highway.

We stopped in the afternoon on the way back for a snack and to share Joy’s birthday cake.  Upon our return to Nairobi, we went to the city center to shop for curios.  We also saw the building in the city enter area where Isaac works for the Ministry of Energy – on the 24^th floor.

We enjoyed a shower back at the 3 bedroom guesthouse and then dinner again at Isaac’s home.  We were all impressed with the warm hospitality of the Kiva family.

It was so good to finally fall into bed sometime after 10pm – it had been a very good day.  Seeing the wild animals of Africa in their natural habitat was great, but spending so many hours in the van left us tired; albeit a good kind of tired.

Sunday, April 5

Breakfast:

Isaac and Josephine brought us a very fine breakfast shortly after 8am.  Hot tea and coffee, and hot milk which I have been surprised to discover I like with their chai – a  tea that most Kenyans love.  They also brought a type of cereal, sausage, pineapple, watermelon, bread, margarine, jam and a type of cookie.  It was quite a generous spread provided by very generous people.

We have grown quite fond of the Kiva family in a short period of time.

Church – Christian Church International:

We arrived at church shortly after 10a – Isaac said that he needed to go get a generator as there had been an announcement that the electricity was going to be shut off.  So far as I know the electricity never did go off.

We enjoyed a very good worship service – about an hour of worship.  Most songs were in Swahilli, but there was some singing in English.  The people were warm and friendly in their many greetings.  I had been asked to give a testimony – I did so with one of the elders / Associate Pastor interpreting into Swahilli.  The church was actually very full.  I really enjoyed the energy with which they worshipped.  The girls went to each child’s Sunday School class and sang songs with the 3 older classes.

After the service, a lady named Virginia asked to talk with me. Virginia is a widow with six children.   Tabitha – born 1988, Dalton – born 1987, Catherine – 1989, Derrick – 1992, Mike – 1993, Arnold – 2004.  Her daughter Tabitha passed her secondary exams in 2007, but doesn’t have the money for registration at the University.  Virginia is seeking help for this.  Tabitha currently works at a supermarket to help pay the family bills.  I did give Virginia about 900 Kenyan shillings (about $11.60) to help with immediate needs, but I told her that I would work through Pastor Timothy and the church.  I promised her that I would pass her needs to the church and to our Josiah Board for consideration.  I have learned that it is wise to provide aid through local churches and /or mission agencies to ensure proper understanding and accountability.  Local church leaders understand the local culture and needs and ways to effectively meet those needs properly and with optimum priority so much better than I do.

In keeping with what seems to be the custom here, we were all treated to soft drinks in the Pastor’s office after the service.

Lunch and Departure:

We enjoyed one last lunch at the Kiva’s home.  The Pastor’s wife, Anne, and their children Shem, Seth, Martha, and 2-year old little girl also joined us, along with Sarah, a young woman on the church Praise Team.  Sarah is a recent University graduate whose job I believe entails traveling and educating people in regards to STD and the importance of abstinence.

Isaac picked us up around 4:45pm and we headed back to Nairobi.  We picked up Pastor Timothy along the way so that he could return the van to his cousin.  Josephine was driving the Kiva’s car so that Isaac, Timothy could return home after the van is dropped off.

We met Walter & Christel at the Nairobi Baptist Church at about 6:00pm to pick up some literature they had asked us to take back to the U.S. – about 22 Kg (48 lbs).  Upon arrival at the airport we managed to get our luggage (with a little shifting around) to pass the maximum weight requirements –   † so Praise the Lord for a generous official who allowed an extra Kg on a couple of suitcases. 

We got checked in with a couple of hours to spare – we needed the chance to relax a bit.  We enjoyed a light snack and some much needed water at the Java Coffee House.  There was a soccer match on the TV.  It was interesting to see the loud cheering from some very intense soccer fans in the restaurant – very similar to the fervor displayed back home when Nebraska fans are watching the Huskers play football.

Monday, April 6

Eventually we all made it home.  Stephanie is feeling the worst – seems to have a fever and is really feeling ill.  Michelle and Harmony missed a flight connection in Chicago – but were able to catch the next flight out.  I was home by around 1:30 – 2:00 a.m. and didn’t waste much time in going to bed where I slept for most of the next 16 hours.  Looking back at the trip – it is very clear that the Lord’s hand of guidance was on us all.  We are home safely and we have made numerous contacts that promise to provide for effective partnerships with proven missions to those in extreme need.